Bucs' feud with QB reaches new low

The embattled QB has released a statement in response to a vague report from ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that said Freeman “is a stage one participant in the NFL’s drug program but he is not one strike away from a suspension despite being subject to random testing, according to league and player sources with knowledge of his status.”

Follow that?

Freeman clarified, explaining that he entered the program after switching from Adderall to Ritalin to treat his ADHD, which caused a positive test. He has an exemption to use medicine to treat his ADHD, but said he voluntarily joined the program to clear any suspicion and has never tested positive for a banned substance.

Here’s the thing: The NFL’s drug program isn’t meant to be an open book. Only the player involved and top executives from the league and the players’ team would generally know details like those revealed in Mortensen’s story.

There are certain cases where a team looking to acquire a player has the right to know if he’s involved in the program, but Mortensen says the nature of Freeman’s involvement would prevent that from happening.

So, who leaked it, and why?

Freeman’s statement implicates members of the Buccaneers’ organization. Which makes very little sense, since the team should be trying to get maximum value in a trade.

“Unfortunately, it appears that some people who may have noticed the testing at my workplace have made hurtful and incorrect assumptions and chosen to disseminate inaccurate and very disturbing information. It is a shame that when times have gotten tough, people have chosen to attack the character of others, rather than supporting each other. I remain dedicated and focused to being the best quarterback I can be and to help a team win a championship.”